Attachment for key-operated machines.



J. VIDAL Y DIAZ.

ATTACHMENT r012 KEY ommxn MACHINES.

APPLIGATIOH FILED JAN 7, 1908. 903,03 1 Patented ho'v. 3, i968.

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J. VIDAL Y DIAZ.

ATTACHMENT FOR KEY OPERATED MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN/7,1908.

903,03 1 Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

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L. 1;! f"%%@%bah 1 WITNESSES INVENTOH @Zz'an ldaZ flz'caz ATTORNEYSUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIAN NIBAL Y one, or assess, A

VENTOSA, OF NEwYoRK, it, AND TWO-THIRDS TO HIMSELF AND JUAN BAUTIS'TAVIDAL AND Josn GALASANZ VIDALLOF NEW roan, N. Y.

ATTAOHIIENT FOR KEY-OPERATED MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' named Nov. s, 1903.

Application filed January 7,190811Scria1 No 109,685.

I To all whom it may concern:

ing a plurality' of keys adapted to be manually operated, ant the objectof the invention is to provide means for locating and defining thekeyboard by other than the sense of direct sight, whereby said operatorinstinctively retains the hands in the proper position in re spect. tothe keyboard while reading the 00 y and operating the machinesimultaneous y. In order'to secure this object, I provide a frame orborder extending alon adjacent the outermost keys, so that the oundariesof the keyboard are more clearly defined and so that the operator maywithout looking directly at the keyboard locate the keys thereon. Thisframe may hepf a contrastlug color to that of the keys, in which casethe operator even though not looking directly at the keyboard may stilllocate it accurately; or said frame may extend up ward from thekeyboard, so that the hand will engage therewith should it move beyondthe confines of said keyboard.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specitication, in which similar characters of ref-- erence indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures, and in which Figure 1 is a planview of a portion of a typewriter having a marginal frame for thekeyboard of a contrasting color to that of the keys; Fig. 2 is avertical section on y the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view ofthe parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Fig.2; Fig. 5 is a plan View of a portion of a typewriter, similar to Fig. lbut showing av frame extending to a higher elevation than the keys; andFig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6-6 of'Fig. 5. Y

My improved device is so constructed as to be readily applied to anytypewriter, and in cludes in its construction a marginal frame havlngasubdividing partition, a supporting adapte bar for said frame, andbrackets adapted to be secured'to the frame of the mtichine and servinto support said bar. f

In the specific form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, themarginal frame includes a lo itudinally extending -memher 10,

to lie beyond but adacent the upper line of keys, and two side members11 adapted to' extend along the ends of the keyboard. The frame supportsa dividing partition 12, which exten s substantially parallel to theside members 11 but is bent or curved to pass between the keys and tosubdivide the keys operated by the right hand from thoseoperated by theleft hand. The frame with its partition 12 is of a contrasting color tothe keys, in the present instance, the keys being white and theframebeing black. This contrast is such that even though the o orator doesnot look directly at the keyboard, he may unconsciously locate thekeyboard and the keys thereon while he is reading the copy. The frame isreadily detachable from the machine, it being preferably supported 11 ona transverse sup orting bar 13, cxten in longitudinally o the framemember 10. he member 10 is preferably provided with alongitudinally-disposed slot extending into its ower side, as isillustrated in Fig. 4, and the bar 13 fits into this slot. The ends ofthe bar are supported upon suitable brackets fastened to the frame ofthe machine, each of said brackets pref erably including avertically-disposed mem-- ber 14, having a book 15 at the lower endthereof adapted to engage with the under side of a portion of the frame,and having a securing member 16 adapted to be rigidly secured theretoand to engage With'the u er side of a portion of the machine frame. hevertically-extending member 14 is provided with a series of perforations17 through which the bar 13 may extend and be supported at differentelevations. The bar 13 may be secured to the brackets in any suitablemanner, as, for instance, by keys 18.

The frame illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 may, if desired, he used in placeof the frame illus trated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and, is soconstructed that it may be readily secured to the supporting bar 13. Inthis form the. '1

ens-rams ro JUANWENTGSA- r' frame is designed to locate and define thekeyboard not by a contrasting color so much as by being raised to ahigher elevation than the keyboard, so that should the hand of theoperator pass to one side of the keyboard, it will immediately ei'igagewith the frame and the operator will instinctively move his-hand back toits proper position over the keyboard. The frame illustrated is formedof a strip of sheet metal having a longitudinally-exteiid ing portion10*, side portions or members 11, and a partition 12. The lower edge ofthe member if) is provided with a flange 19, which forms therewith aslot adapted to receive the supporting bar 125, the slot being open atthe lower side, so that the frame may be readily raised and removed. Theupper edge of the sheet metal is curved outwardly to form aninwardly-directed inclined surface which not only prevei'its theoperatori'rom hurting the hand by striking against the sharp upper edge,but also serves to direct the hand inwardly onto the keyboard. The frameand its partition may extend to any desired elevation above the keyboardde pendent upon the skill of the operator and the necessity for saidframe. The elevation may be varied by raising or lowering the supportingbar 13 in respect to the brackets.

As the shift keys are not operated as frequently as are the lettei'keysof the machine, the side portions of the frame may be extended inwardlyat such an angle as to leave these keys outside of the frame, wherebythe liability of touching said keys uninten-' tionally is materiallyreduced. As the frame stands somewhat above the keyboard, these keys maybe readily operated when desired.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An attachment for machines having keyboards, comprising two bracketsdetach ably connected to the frame of the machine, ahorizontally-disposed supporting bar carried by said brackets andvertically adjustable, and a frame carried by said supporting bar andhaving portions extending along three sides of. the keyboard.

2. An attachment for machines having keyboards, comprising two bracketsdetaclr ably connected to the frame of the machine, and having aplurality of openings adjacent the upper end thereof, a.horizontally-disposed supporting bar having the end portions thereofadapted to extend into any one of said o1 eni1'1gs, so as to permit ofthe vertical. adjustment 'of the bar, and a frame having alongitudinally-disposed groove for the reception of said supporting barand having portions extending adjacent the keyboard and serving todefine the borders of the keyboard.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIAN VIDAL Y DIAZ.

